Teachers give technology top marks. Nearly all (89%) Canadian teachers interviewed believe students should be able to bring tech products to class.

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Aug. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - The vast majority of Canadian teachers interviewed support allowing personal technology in classrooms, according to a recent survey commissioned by Staples Canada in June. Nearly all (89 per cent) believe students should be allowed to bring technology products, including tablets and laptops to class, based on a survey of teachers conducted by Vision Critical on behalf of Staples Canada.

"Computing in the classroom is our new reality, and I fully support its use for educational purposes," said Michelle Topp, teacher at Beverley Acres Public School (York Region District School Board). "Tablets and computers in the class are used for note taking and research. They also help students study and complete projects at home."

The study revealed that 50 per cent of Canadian teachers surveyed believe students learn more when they take notes on portable devices, such as laptops. In addition, over half (56 per cent) of surveyed teachers think technology tools should be introduced into the classroom before high school.

"Technology continues to become a more prominent part of our everyday life," Topp said.

"The younger students learn how to use technology in a classroom setting, the more successful they will be at mastering it when older, for example when pursuing a career."

Technology at home is increasingly important for schoolwork. Three-quarters of Canadian school-aged children are completing their homework primarily using a laptop or desktop computer, according to a second Vision Critical survey of Canadian parents. Only 21 per cent of respondents said the children in their household do homework with a pen and paper, illustrating the shift towards technology.

About the Survey

Vision Critical Teachers Survey: The teachers study was conducted from June 21-25, 2012 by Vision Critical through online interviews with teachers across Canada (excluding Quebec) who are members of Staples Canada's My Staples Panel. 256 interviews were completed in total.

Vision Critical Survey of Canadian Adults: From June 21 to 22, 2012, Vision Critical conducted an online survey among 2,004 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada.

About Staples Canada
Staples, Canada's largest office products company is committed to providing Canadians with a wide choice of office services and products. Serving all types of business - from the small home office to large enterprise - Staples makes it easy for customers to operate their offices efficiently and affordably by offering an extensive selection of office supplies, technology, electronics and office furniture as well as business services, including computer repair and maintenance, and copy and print services. Operating as Bureau en GrosMC in the province of Quebec and Staples Canada in all other provinces, the company employs over 15,000 associates at 330+ stores and at their head office in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Ranked as one of Canada's top ten Canadian companies in Marketing Magazine's Marketing/Leger 2011 Corporate Reputation Survey, Staples/Bureau en Gros is dedicated to offering customers the highest level of service, whether they choose to shop in-store, by catalogue or online. Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros also is invested in a number of corporate giving programs that actively support environmental, educational and entrepreneurial initiatives in Canadian communities from coast to coast. Visit www.staples.ca for more information, or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE: Staples Canada Inc.

Valerie Outmezguine, Public Relations Specialist, Staples Canada
905.737.1147 x 2426 / [email protected]

Alessandra Saccal-Tremblay, Communications - Canada, Staples Canada
905.737.1147 x 2363 / [email protected]